CHAPTER 19 – CHEMICAL HANDLING AND STORAGE

1 Current as of November, 2009 19 - i CHAPTER 19 CHEMICAL HANDLING AND STORAGE A. INTRODUCTION .. 1 B. CHAPTER -SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .. 1 C. INVENTORY 1 D. LABELING .. 2 E. SAFE HANDLING AND TRANSFER .. 3 F. SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AND SPILL 4 G. CABINET AND SHELF STORAGE - GENERAL PRECAUTIONS .. 4 H. REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS - flammable STORAGE .. 5 I. STORAGE OF CHEMICALS BY CLASS .. 5 1. Flammables and Combustibles .. 6 2. Corrosives: Acids .. 6 3. Organic acids .. 7 4. Perchloric acid and picric acid .. 7 5. Corrosives: Bases .. 7 6. Reactive: Oxidizers (Attachment E).

2 7 7. Reactive: Reducers .. 7 8. Water-reactive Chemicals .. 8 9. Peroxide Forming Chemicals (Attachment F) .. 8 J. HIGHLY HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS .. 8 K. TRAINING .. 9 L. REFERENCES .. 9 Attachment 1 - CHEMICAL INCOMPATIBILITIES, SELECTED Attachment 2 - flammable /COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS: MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CONTAINER CAPACITY .. 13 Attachment 3 - MAXIMUM QUANTITIES OF flammable AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS AND LIQUEFIED flammable GASES IN SPRINKLERED LABORATORY UNITS OUTSIDE OF INSIDE LIQUID STORAGE AREAS .. 14 Attachment 4 - MAXIMUM QUANTITIES OF flammable AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS AND LIQUEFIED flammable GASES IN NON-SPRINKLERED LABORATORY UNITS OUTSIDE OF INSIDE LIQUID STORAGE AREAS.

3 15 Attachment 5 - HIGH ENERGY OXIDIZERS .. 16 Attachment 6 - PEROXIDE-FORMING MATERIALS .. 17 Attachment 7 -CARCINOGENS AND ACUTE Current as of November, 2009 19 - 1 CHAPTER 19 CHEMICAL HANDLING AND STORAGE A. INTRODUCTION 1. This CHAPTER is applicable to all Smithsonian Institution (SI) facilities and operations. It states general requirements for the safe HANDLING and STORAGE of chemicals unless superseded by specific requirements of other Operational Chapters in this Manual. 2. The safe HANDLING and STORAGE of chemicals can be effectively managed through a program of: a. Inventory control, b.

4 Labeling, c. Safe work practices, d. Secondary containment and spill response, e. STORAGE by compatible classes and in appropriate cabinets, and f. Special controls for highly hazardous substances. B. CHAPTER -SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Safety Coordinators, supervisors and employees shall ensure that the HANDLING and STORAGE of chemicals in their facilities and operations adhere to the requirements of this CHAPTER . 2. The Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management (OSHEM) shall provide technical assistance, upon request, to Safety Coordinators, supervisors and employees in carrying out their responsibilities under this CHAPTER .

5 C. INVENTORY CONTROL 1. Chemicals are to be purchased only in the quantities needed and in containers of the smallest practical size. Although the cost may be higher, significant savings will be gained by reduced hazardous waste disposal or clean up costs. 2. CHEMICAL containers should be plastic bottles, or shatter-resistant plastic coated glass bottles, whenever possible. Glass containers should be avoided to reduce the risk of spills when dropped or damaged. 3. Chemicals shall be inventoried at least annually and excess stocks are to be shared or distributed to other departments to minimize waste.

6 All unused and Current as of November, 2009 19 - 2 outdated chemicals shall be disposed through the SI hazardous waste program, CHAPTER 29, Hazardous Waste Management , of this Manual. 4. Products that could also be purchased for home use, such as soap, oil, or cleaning sprays, must be part of the CHEMICAL inventory and have an MSDS on file if the product will be used in an occupational setting and could cause a health exposure in the workplace. 5. Before a staff member or visiting researcher leaves the SI, all excess chemicals are to be inventoried and distributed or disposed. D. LABELING 1.

7 All bottles, containers, and other apparatus containing chemicals shall be accurately and clearly labeled as to contents, hazards, and where practical, the appropriate precautions required when HANDLING the CHEMICAL . Labels on CHEMICAL containers are not to be removed or altered, particularly the manufacturer s original label. Empty CHEMICAL containers must never be reused for another purpose, even if the labeling is changed. Reactions with new liquid and residual CHEMICAL could be extremely dangerous. 2. In addition, peroxide-forming compounds must be labeled as to the date of receipt by the lab and the date of opening.

8 3. There are three levels of complexity to labeling: original container, secondary transfer containers, and small container (vials, flask, and beakers) for immediate, same-day use. The labels should serve as backup to hazard communication training. a. The manufacturer s original labels must contain the required OSHA information: (1) Name of CHEMICAL or solution; (2) Manufacturer name and emergency telephone number; (3) Hazard warning (health effect or target organs). b. For laboratory-prepared solutions and/or when chemicals are transferred to secondary containers not intended for immediate use, labels should include: (1) Name (no abbreviations) of the CHEMICAL and its concentration.

9 (2) For prepared solutions: date prepared, hazard warning on the most serious health or safety hazard posed (consult MSDS). Stickers can be applied indicating "corrosive, "carcinogen, "water-reactive", " flammable ", etc. If space allows, or if special precautions are critical, expand the hazard warning to include the target organ and the required protection ( "Corrosive, esp. to skin and eyes. Use gloves and goggles"). Current as of November, 2009 19 - 3 c. Containers for immediate (same day) use should be labeled with the CHEMICAL name and its concentration. E. SAFE HANDLING AND TRANSFER 1.

10 Transport of chemicals within the facility must be conducted with methods and materials that prevent the risk of breakage. Hand carried chemicals should be placed in unbreakable secondary containers such as bottle carriers or acid-carrying buckets. Wheeled carts used to transport chemicals should have side guards and lipped surfaces capable of containing a break, and sturdy wheels that move easily over uneven surfaces. DOT shipping containers make excellent secondary containment for transport across the building. 2. Staff are to have available protective aprons, gloves, and goggles when transporting chemicals.